68 Sunny days per year, 74 partly sunny days per year = 142 total days with sun (Portland: live in)

[Johnnythree]

I researched many threads about Portland Weather. Does it rain for a couple hours and then stop raining for a couple hours each day frequently during the rainy seasons, does the sun ever pop out for 20 minutes? Are people really over exaggerating when they say it rains for consecutive weeks and doesn't stop? I would think it would stop for a couple hours each day and then start again.

Does the sun ever pop out of the clouds at all during the winter?

[bler144]

It can shine through, but it's not frequent. There are a lot of days in the winter that are socked in, all day, and it can feel like it's drizzling non-stop for a week, though I'd say it's probably a slight exaggeration if you were actually looking at a rainfall gauge 24/7.

Still, I'd say those sun numbers are a bit low - though it's likely a definitional question. In spring/summer/fall there are lots of days with cloud cover where it's still quite bright. Which imo is preferable anyway.

[pdxmilw]

We often, in fact usually, have days with both rain and "not-rain," so you can get out and take a walk in between the rainy times, although I did that last week and a storm rolled through and I was soaked to the skin. But I digress...

Even in the winter, we pretty much always have a full week of sun several times. The downside is that it's usually cold and very windy during those weeks, so it's better to look at the sun out the window than be out in it.

On the other hand, today, even though it was gloomy, was 60 degrees outside and really pleasant.

In the fall and spring, in particular, we have LOTS of days with "sun breaks"- heavy rain for a half hour, followed by an hour of sun, rinse and repeat. If you jump outside as soon as you see the blue sky coming from the SW, you can take full advantage.

So, no, we are not talking about weeks at a time where it's raining every minute of every day, but from November to January the sky is gray more than many people are used to.

[PNW-type-gal]

It can certainly cloud over for weeks on end, though. It might not be raining the whole time, but you can go weeks without seeing the sun once. That bothered me far more than the rain, particularly when the clouds get low and foggy. The "142" days agrees with some of the weather sites I have seen. That number generally applies for the Willamette Valley.

[Squidlo]

Originally Posted by Johnnythree

I researched many threads about Portland Weather. Does it rain for a couple hours and then stop raining for a couple hours each day frequently during the rainy seasons, does the sun ever pop out for 20 minutes? Are people really over exaggerating when they say it rains for consecutive weeks and doesn't stop? I would think it would stop for a couple hours each day and then start again.

Does the sun ever pop out of the clouds at all during the winter?

It does in fact rain and or is cloudy weeks on end. I saw more sun in February one year than I saw all spring. I worked outside and experienced the weather 6 days a week 8 to 12 hours a day. I experienced 34 degrees and drizzle for days at a time. I actually commuted on my bike to that job for a few years so its not intolerable if you have good gear. Being comfortable is key for enduring the weather, if you spend any time outside. If you live in NW Oregon you will get rained on. Get some Gortex shells with removeable liners. Wear decent shoes keep your feet dry. Umbrellas are a waste of time. Most of all go out and do stuff. If you wait for perfect weather you wont go outside much.

I live in Houston now. I still work outside some of the time. During the summer If I am not working I limit my outdoor time. In the fall/winter I spend a lot of time out doors. Lots of sun lower temps. Its a trade off where ever you are. I'd rather hike to the top of Multnomah falls in the mist, than spend 8 hours on the blacktop at 95 degrees any day.